CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois redshirt-junior shortstop Adam Walton signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks following the MLB Draft.
Walton was a two-time All-Big Ten shortstop and a vital part of the Illini infield since his arrival in Champaign. He started 151 games in the last three seasons, including a streak of 134 straight starts at shortstop that ended in April 2016.
Walton's speed, defensive ability and .280 career batting average have made him a top prospect in the Big Ten. The Stevenson High School product stole 42 bases at Illinois, including 16 in 2016, while being one of the Illini's top defenders.
Walton was on campus for four years but could have elected to return to Illinois for a fifth season after qualifying for a medical redshirt for an injury he sustained after just 11 games played during his freshman campaign. He was drafted in the 20th round last year by Baltimore before electing to return to school.
